Eat The World Tree

Hunter Association, President’s Office.

A chill reminiscent of the dead of winter pervaded the surroundings.

Cheonma and the Sword Sage faced each other. Their complex emotions and relationships were intricately intertwined, marking them as fated adversaries. The deep-seated grudges they held were enough to call each other archenemies. However, in this era of peace, they must conceal their personal feelings.

The Sword Sage’s snake-like narrow eyes scanned Cheonma’s clothes. Clothes that seemed far too large for Cheonma’s body, almost dragging on the ground.

“Khkhkhkh.”

A bitter laugh escaped his lips.

“The more I look, the more you resemble him. The eyes, the aura, even the power.”

His face soon turned pale as if he might breathe his last at any moment. Hundreds of scars, burn marks, and a nose that could not smell gave a grotesque rather than admirable impression, suggesting the hardships he had endured.

Truly an imposing figure. In contrast, Cheonma still had the youthful appearance of someone just past her teenage years.

“How that young lady managed to get here is beyond me, isn’t it?”

Mugung mused.

“I thought at best a dragon was nurturing a tiger. Ridiculous. That person was an example of foolish humanity, deluded even in his death.”

A voice filled with unmistakable mockery.

Cheonma was irked by these words. A lifetime of following her father, and herself. A tone that seemed to slowly whittle her down from toe to head.

“In that sense, my eye for talent is still not as good as Cheonma’s.”

His gaze shifted back to Cheonma.

“Who would have thought that tiger could become a dragon?”

Until his words concluded, Cheonma didn’t even twitch an eyebrow. It was as if she was enjoying this very moment, a leisurely smile on her lips as she listened to Mugung.

“And now you’ve become the Association’s dog. Is that what you wanted to say?”

Cheonma, arms crossed, quickly retorted.

A superior Cheonma. And himself, who had even turned Cheonma’s daughter into a dog of the Association. A sense of superiority, intoxication.

Of course, whether these were truly Mugung’s thoughts was unknown. It was hard to think that an old man who would die soon felt superiority in such a place. Mugung was a person who, behind his abhorrent and selfish exterior, hid a cunning and meticulous advisor. He was not bound by personal feelings.

If necessary, he would use even the enemy’s daughter.

Cheonma, too, was a case of using her enemy.

But regardless of his true feelings, this conversation had been heard numerous times, dozens of times before. And every time, it was an annoying conversation.

It had also been a motivating conversation for a still young Cheonma. Mugung then feigned surprise and spoke to Cheonma.

“You’ve grown.”

Until recently, she was a girl blazing with vengeance.

“You’ve changed beyond recognition.”

Had taking a disciple changed her heart?

Now, Cheonma looked calmer than anyone else. An amazing change.

Like a volcano filled with malice and rage, ready to erupt at any moment, she had developed the capacity to embrace others. Despite her young age, she now had the demeanor of a former leader of a sect.

Always drawing a straight path, like a painting by a famous artist full of tranquil prosperity.

An elegance difficult to put into words manifested in Cheonma.

‘My disciple has won.’

Of course, her insides were filled with immense joy.

‘Lee Shiheon. The National Tree.’

None other than her own disciple!

A teacher known only for bragging about her disciples.

A fool for her disciples.

Perhaps next time she should teach him something better. A smile was about to bloom on Cheonma’s lips when—

“Report the rest.”

Interrupted by Mugung’s words, Cheonma slowly began to unravel what she had learned.

The movement of the Flower faction as investigated by Spring Peach Blossom throughout Korea.

The emergence of new dungeons and strategies for them.

It was a typical report, more thorough than anyone else’s.

“That’s enough.”

Mugung cut off Cheonma’s words and glanced at his computer screen for a moment.

-Maehwa 25↑

Real-time search keywords related to the progress of the Forester Selection Competition.

This time, was that guy from China spreading his wings?

Well, it didn’t matter.

Mugung shifted his gaze from the screen and spoke to Cheonma. His concerns were entirely focused on his homeland, and he knew that Cheonma could bring significant turmoil someday.

“I trust you won’t do anything foolish.”

Mugung’s words were a watchful reminder.

“If I say I understand, will you trust me?”

“…….”

Both exchanged a smile that contained a slight hint of murderous intent.

Someday, one of them would have to die. It was just a momentary collaboration.

There was such an enemy in Flower.

---

What’s happening outside right now?

I hoped nothing had happened to anyone I knew.

Being in a dungeon, disconnected from society, it was hard to come across reputations or rumors as before.

‘My master told me to make a name for myself here.’

I had made a name for myself against the National Tree. This was as good as proving my capabilities.

I wouldn’t be treated like a bottom-feeder anymore. This had been decided since my clash with Maronnie.

‘Actually, I don’t need to worry about my reputation anymore.’

Further enhancing my reputation here wouldn’t bring much benefit to me.

Cheondo had told me to participate in the Forester Selection Competition to meet a wide range of talents and to cultivate experience and strength.

Not just strength but connections too. Or perhaps mark myself in the eyes of those who might obstruct my path in the future.

In essence, it was about laying the groundwork so I could slowly step into the world.

For me, who was adapting to this world without any status, it was the best choice.

And I intended to follow it.

No matter that my strength seemed to be at a standstill right now, you never knew when an opportunity might pop up.

Just look at Taeyang and Aori. They might not be reliable, but they did make entertaining subordinates.

‘The dungeon created by the minions of the Tree Spirit King. After the selection is over, I might need to drop by there.’

But before that, I needed to resolve Sansuyu’s issue.

My master as well.

There were many things I had laid out. I didn’t start them, but I needed to resolve them.

If I tackled them one by one, perhaps someday I wouldn’t have to deal with such nuisances and could lead a comfortable life.

That’s all I hoped for.

‘But then.’

I looked at the three girls sitting around the campfire.

Saku was roasting marshmallows from the food backpack, and Sansuyu was watching her with interest.

Sitting between them, filling her stomach, was the Sword Sage’s granddaughter, Kim Soo-yeon.

And finally, far away on a rock, the Indian National Tree, Banya, was half-shirtless, checking her tattoos.

‘I’m going to get scolded for this.’

A man among four women.

The internet wasn’t an issue, but Seoyeong and Byeol… especially Jin Dallae might scratch my back.

I could vividly imagine Jin Dallae hitting my back, saying it’s unbearable.

Jin Dallae, who already had a strong possessive streak… Shiba and I were at home, but she might spend all night sending me cold glares for hanging out with other girls.

I might not even be able to get into bed.

And Lee Seoyeong tended to cling like a puppy, too obsessed.

If this got broadcasted, I might be squeezed all day long.

Jealousy from Hwangdo went without saying.

Byeol subtly kept in touch while ensuring she benefited, cunning like a fox.

“…….”

I sweated coldly.

All three were National Trees, and their beauty, second to none, made it even harder.

-Suddenly.

At that moment, Saku offered me a marshmallow.

“Shiheon, aren’t you eating? Marshmallows are delicious.”

Saku, with pink hair, smiled broadly with a Japanese accent.

Her expression wasn’t visible due to the fox mask, but her voice was so cheerful that I could imagine her smiling.

I accepted it with a reluctant smile.

A freshly roasted marshmallow bubbling with foam.

The rich sweetness stretched as I put it in my mouth.

“How is it, tasty, right?”

Saku’s cheerful voice made me smile awkwardly.

“It’s delicious.”

I couldn’t keep up with the tension.

However, Sansuyu seemed to enjoy the noisy atmosphere right now, showing about twice as happy an expression as usual.

A version of her usual expressionless face with a slight flush.

A subtle change imperceptible to others, but noticeable if you looked closely.

-Suddenly.

Sansuyu offered me a slightly burnt marshmallow.

“Eat this?”

When I asked, Sansuyu nodded slightly.

Since there were cameras around, instead of moving her head, she reached out her hand to grab the skewer and put the marshmallow into her mouth.

Was this also going to be broadcast?

But now, the cameras were far away, focusing on Banya, so it probably wouldn’t leak out.

“We’re almost at the end of the first trial.”

After a quick meal, Saku stretched her legs and arms as if releasing the stress of the past week.

It’s getting dark. About four hours left.

A little sleep and the trial would be over.

“Have you and Soo-yeon been here the whole time?”

“No, we met on the third day. We’ve been here since the fourth. Before that, we just cleared dungeons.”

“That’s awesome!”

Clap, clap. Saku applauded, then suddenly seemed deflated, continuing in a subdued voice.

“We kept, kept, kept fighting. Banya said we had to eliminate competitors as much as possible~”

“As much as possible? Really necessary?”

“I mean, even for a perfectionist, it was too much. Right, Soo-yeon?”

At Saku’s words, Soo-yeon sitting next to her giggled.

“Banya can be a bit much.”

Eliminate competitors as much as possible.

Reduce the numbers? A hypothesis I had considered briefly resurfaced.

Could there be someone among the National Trees who has approached Flower? A far-fetched thought.

This idea had many flaws. I didn’t know why they would cause many to fail, nor why a National Tree would side with Flower.

To understand these details, a long-term investigation was necessary.

‘…If only I had a great ability. Didn’t Maronnie say she could read others’ thoughts?’

That ability would make it easier to find out who Flower was.

Of course, I was not a fool to think about Flower in front of Maronnie.

‘It’s vague.’

It was unknown at this point.

It had only been a week, so naturally, there had been almost no interaction. As competitors decreased, the remaining National Trees and students tended to form closer bonds.

“I’ll go to bed first.”

Maybe I’d think about it after getting through today.

Saku yawned and crawled into her sleeping bag, and Sansuyu headed towards the tent.

Soo-yeon and I remained sitting by the dwindling campfire.

“Aren’t you sleeping?”

Soo-yeon’s words, maybe I should get some sleep too.

I was not sleepy, but I should try to sleep anyway.

As I was about to reluctantly get up, Banya, who had been sitting on a rock looking at the lake, suddenly stood up.

“…Someone’s coming.”

Her eyes, brighter than the daytime, locked onto a distant figure.

“Who? At this hour?”

Just before the first trial ended, someone was crashing in.

At Soo-yeon’s incredulous response, Banya quickly looked around and then mentioned a name.

“Maehwa.”

The National Tree from China.

Soo-yeon’s face turned cold at the mention.